Send us your thoughts!

What if recognizing and prioritizing your personal needs could be the key to unlocking your full potential and fostering resilience? Join Dr. Julie Merriman on SoulJoy as she shares invaluable insights from her book, "In Pursuit of Soul Joy," to guide professional helpers through the challenges of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. After a heartwarming recount of her recent family adventures in Montana, where laughter and sports filled the air, Dr. Merriman turns her focus to the vital importance of self-care. She extends a compassionate invitation to explore where you stand on the self-awareness spectrum, whether you are a seasoned advocate of self-care or find the concept intertwined with feelings of selfishness.

Discover practical tools to help you confidently identify and communicate your needs, enhancing your well-being and capacity to support others. Dr. Merriman emphasizes that embracing personal needs isn't just about feeling good; it's essential for anyone in a caregiving role. By acknowledging and addressing these needs, you can prevent resentment and victim mentality, allowing you to sparkle a little brighter in your personal and professional life. Tune in to explore how taking this powerful step can transform you into a more confident, resilient version of yourself, ultimately leading to holistic and sustainable self-care.

Send us your thoughts!

Rediscover the secret to a fulfilling life by engaging with the transformative power of holistic self-care, as shared by Dr. Julie Merriman. Through her personal journey of overcoming burnout, especially in the demanding field of helping professions, Dr. Merriman provides valuable insights into cultivating what she calls "SoulJoy." With heartwarming stories about her beloved horse, Rex, she beautifully illustrates the profound connections with our furry companions that can enhance our well-being and rejuvenate our spirits. Learn how to combat burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma by consistently practicing self-care strategies that empower you to feel refreshed and purposeful in your everyday life.

Stay on this inspiring journey with Dr. Merriman by subscribing to her weekly updates, where she offers exclusive content to enrich your self-care practices. By joining her seven-day self-care challenge, available on her website, you'll access a supportive community dedicated to wellness and receive regular updates designed to help you architect a personalized plan for self-care. Every step you take brings you closer to a life filled with joy and meaningful connections. Feedback is always welcome, and Dr. Merriman eagerly anticipates fostering this wellness journey with you.

Send us your thoughts!

Ever felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, leaving you frazzled and drained? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I reveal how holistic and sustainable self-care can be your pathway to profound happiness and fulfillment. Drawing from my own experiences overcoming burnout and compassion fatigue, I'll share how balancing energies and reframing our brains can help us reclaim control over our destinies. Discover the surprising role that our beloved fur babies, like my horse Rex, play in nurturing our spirits, especially for those navigating the transition of an empty nest. Through evidence-based practices, together we'll find renewed purpose, passion, and confidence in ourselves and our relationships.

Stay connected and committed to your self-care journey by subscribing to my email list for weekly updates and activities that go hand-in-hand with our podcast discussions. Take the leap by joining my seven-day self-care challenge on my website, www.JulieMerrymanPhD.com, and become part of a community dedicated to nurturing self-love and wellness. Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and share your thoughts through reviews to help us reach more listeners. Remember, self-care isn't a one-time fix—it's a lifelong commitment. Until we connect again, take care of yourself and embrace the journey towards creating your own SoulJoy.

Send us your thoughts!

After enduring a year marked by personal trials, including my husband's melanoma diagnosis and my own battle with breast cancer, I've gained a deeper understanding of the often-unseen challenges faced by those of us in the helping professions. I am Dr. Julie Merriman, and in this episode of SoulJoy, I open up about my journey through these hardships and the critical lessons I've learned about burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. These occupational hazards, if left unchecked, can severely impact our body, mind, and soul, stripping away the joy we once felt in our work and lives.

This episode isn't just about my story; it's also a call to action for all professional helpers to recognize and address these hazards before they become overwhelming. Drawing on extensive research and my own experiences, I provide strategies for setting healthy boundaries and reclaiming joy in our personal and professional lives. With a shocking statistic that 70% of helping professionals face these issues, it's time to confront the epidemic of becoming "crispy fried." Through my book "In Pursuit of Joy" and this podcast, I aim to empower you to reconnect with your life and rediscover the joy that may have been lost along the way. Join me as we embark on the journey to reclaim our lives and find our joy again.

Send us your thoughts!

Ever wondered how first responder families celebrate the holidays amidst the chaos of service demands? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we unpack the emotional complexities faced by professional helpers and explore holistic self-care strategies to combat burnout and compassion fatigue. As we approach the holiday season, emotions can run high, and understanding how they manifest in our bodies is crucial. I'll share insights from my personal journey and guide you through recognizing and embracing emotions, while navigating the inherent messiness of life. Together, we'll delve into the importance of emotional education and how acknowledging our feelings can transform not only our lives but also the lives of those we serve.

Buckle up for a transformative experience as we engage in a guided body scan meditation, aimed at heightening awareness of physical sensations and emotional cues. We'll journey through the chakras, exploring how subtle feelings like warmth or pressure can teach us about our needs and desires. By practicing mindfulness and journaling our discoveries, we can enhance our self-awareness and personal growth, even in emotionally triggering times. Whether you're a seasoned professional helper or someone seeking personal development, this episode offers invaluable tools for fostering well-being. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to help spread the message of soul joy.

Send us your thoughts!

Picture this: a herd of baby calves frolicking in the pasture, embodying pure joy and playfulness. That's the energy we're tapping into today on SoulJoy as we journey through the essential but often overlooked aspects of self-care—creativity, sexuality, and emotions. I'm Dr. Julie Merriman, and in this episode, I share cherished memories of my great-grandmother Wade from 1974, whose life was a testament to embracing these energies. From her creative resourcefulness during hard times on a Texas dairy farm to her stories of family and resilience, she taught me the importance of a balanced sacral chakra and living a multifaceted life.

If you've ever felt the weight of burnout, vicarious trauma, or compassion fatigue, especially in the helping professions, this conversation is for you. As a registered play therapist, I emphasize the power of play—not just for children but in every aspect of life, including relationships and personal pursuits. Whether it's designing costumes or engaging with a partner, play is a conduit for expressing sexual energy, creativity, and emotions. This episode is an invitation to embrace the colorful, messy, and sexy parts of life, offering a path to a more energized and fulfilling existence.

Send us your thoughts!

What if your financial beliefs are unconsciously impacting your well-being? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we unravel the intricacies of your money mindset in the latest episode of SoulJoy. We embark on a journey to uncover how our childhood and family history shape our "money story," which often operates beneath our conscious awareness, much like hidden emotions in therapy. By understanding these hidden influences, we can transform our relationship with money and enhance our holistic self-care, particularly during the demanding holiday season. Discover how aligning your financial beliefs with your root chakra through practices like yoga can lead to improved wellness and even open the door to financial abundance.

Throughout this episode, I guide you through introspective exercises designed to help you reflect on your money beliefs and the root causes of any fears or resentments. Utilizing tools like superpower models and body scans, we delve into your personal financial narrative, offering you insights that can prevent burnout and compassion fatigue—a common occupational hazard. This conversation is an invitation to explore your financial schemas, encouraging you to take control of your money mindset for a healthier, more balanced life. Don't miss the chance to transform your financial story and boost your overall well-being. Be sure to subscribe for more enriching episodes and engage with us for further exploration.

Send us your thoughts!

What if the very risks you're avoiding are the keys to your personal growth and fulfillment? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I recount a life-altering risk I took in college that not only reshaped my path but also led me to my husband. Society often whispers caution and safety, but I’m here to champion the idea that risk is an integral part of holistic self-care. Together, we'll uncover how embracing the unknown can nurture self-belief and deliver lessons from both successes and failures. Plus, discover how my charming yoga goats in Meridian, Texas, have become a unique part of my wellness journey—and yours too, if you decide to join me for meditation and mimosas.

We also venture into the realm of overcoming resistance, identifying fears that keep us stagnant, and harnessing our inner superpowers to leap over life's hurdles. Here, you'll find encouragement to recognize your worth and see obstacles as opportunities for growth. By the end of our conversation, you’ll be inspired to take bold steps toward your dreams, armed with the knowledge that the potential rewards of risk are well worth the pursuit. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review, and let this episode be a testament to your capacity for courageous change.